In "The Way Home," a young boy from the city of Seoul, Korea, is
forced to live with his elderly, stooped, simple, near-saintly
grandmother in a rural province. Seven-year-old Sang-woo is out in
the boonies because his mother is short on funds, needs to find work
and feels comfortable ditching the kid with mute, illiterate Grandma.
As obstinate as he is at the start of his banishment from the urban,
modern society that he knows, Sang-woo is sure to discover the value
of Grandma's unconditional love and the uncomplicated joys of country
life. At least, it's that likely from the get-go, and it's what
director Jeong-hyang Lee wants you to want while you watch "The Way
Home." Effective? Yes, but Sang-woo is so damned obnoxious that you
may be looking for The Way Out (of the theater) way before the end of
the film. It's excruciating to see this pathetic brat become even
more annoying as the film goes on until, from desperation,
illness-inspired epiphany or bribery by candy, Sang-woo starts to
appreciate the old gal. "The Way Home'" is a good argument for
corporal punishment.